What is a Luxury Layover?

The Sky Steward loves to enjoy 'Luxury Layovers'! Let us tell you some of the things that normally happen on Luxury Layovers so that you will be well rested and prepared before jetting off. It's alot to do in 24 hours, but here is a sample of what The Sky Steward and friends do while on a layover.

AGENDA

• Pick up at the airport by private Lincoln sedan.
• Taken to 5 Star Hotel or Resort
• Check-in to Luxury Accommodations
• Pre-Shopping Luxury Lunch and Cocktails
• Shopping Spree (to make it fun, we look for bargains)
• Post-Shopping Gourmet Snack and Cocktails
• Late-Afternoon Massage, Mani, and Pedi
• Luxury Gourmet Dinner
• Entertainment in the Evening
• Luxurious Night's Sleep
• Sumptuous Room Service Breakfast
• Morning Workout and Steam
• Luxury Transfer to the Airport
• Flight Home

He hopes you'll join him on a non-working layover soon!

Sign up for the Jetiquette Travel Club and you could be enjoying a luxury layover in the Fall of 2009. Details will be included in the Jetiquette Travel Club Newsletter!

Things That Go Bump in the Flight

Dear Sky Steward,
My fiance and I recently returned to Washington from Paris on United Airlines. Although this flight was very pleasant, our overnight flight to Paris was a nightmare. We were disturbed several times by the flight crew's loud conversations in the galley, plus there was a lot of noise from cart doors being slammed and such. It was impossible to sleep. Are flight crew members told to keep the noise down on overnight flights?

Thanks,
Sleepless in the Capitol

Dear Sleepless,

The Sky Steward is deeply disturbed by your horrendous experience. Your suspicions are correct that flight crews are told to keep the noise down on night flights. Unfortunately it does not happen as much as it should and there are many travellers like yourself who've arrived at their final destination with red eyes on the "red-eye" due to the racket.

Although you should probably write to the airline to complain (if you are a frequent flier, you may receive some sort of compensation), The Sky Steward suggests that you also invest in some noise canceling headsets so that you will be able to sleep regardless of how the crew conducts themselves. Here are some suggested types below to get you started. TIP: Plug them into an MP3 Player with your favorite relaxing music and you won't care if the crew is setting off fireworks in the galley!

Our Noise Canceling Headphone Picks

What Not to Wear While Traveling

Dear Sky Steward,

Last year there was a lot in the news about people being removed from flights and/or humiliated while traveling by air. Do you have any advice that you can give to me so that I not only travel in comfort, but have a little flair as well?

Thanks,
Fashionista Wannabe, Locust Valley, NY

Dear Fashionista,

The Sky Steward wishes to emphasize that most of the people that were removed from flights or humiliated were not really using too much sound judgement when putting their ensembles together for their trips. You would never choose a skirt that rises two feet above the knee, would you? The Sky Steward understands that you are simply looking for alternatives to being too formal. After all, the days of 1950's air travel are long gone. There is no need, however, to give up on traveling in style.

The Sky Steward keeps his wardrobe recommendations for traveling very simple; keep it classic and conservative and regularly consults with his fashion coach Stephen Licata, who also owns retail clothing boutiques in South Florida and the Hamptons. The Sky Steward applauds you for reaching out for advice. If travellers do not wish to dress up too much for travel, here are some suggestions:

For Men: Jeans or other casual pants are fine, but add a sport coat, blazer, or a t-shirt with light vest and take it up a notch. Athletic shoes are OK, but some casual loafers (he prefers Gucci of course) or italian style driving shoes are much better.

For Women: A scoop neck or v-neck solid t-shirt with a lightweight cashmere sweater (they are only $39.00 at K-Mart) plus a stretch jeans or another pant that a percentage of stretch (such as Lycra blend) for comfort.

He would also suggest a loafer/ballet slipper with an attractive buckle that dresses them up perfectly. Make sure to coordinate your belt and shoes.

And don't forget the simple leather buckle belt. Do forget the bling (no jeweled belts please) and grunge is completely grounded (everyone knows that, right?).

Men's Travel Grooming Tips by Request

Dear Sky Steward,

I met you at one of your events and you looked marvelous! How do you do it? I would love it if my husband's hair was a little more like yours and how did your skin look so good?

Will you share your secrets?

Thanks,
Joanne in Macon, GA

Dear Joanne,

The Sky Steward will not only share his secrets; he wanted to give you access to the products he uses as well. These are great for men's skin care and there is a magical hair styling product from Paul Mitchell that he swears by. In fact, he was a bit reluctant to share it. Most of the products are completely self-explanatory except for 2 in particular.

• The Shiseido Color Stick is to add a little bit of bronze color if your husbands skin has been confined to the indoors exclusively and it looks extremely natural and it is used by some of the most manly husbands known to The Sky Steward.


• Benefit Dr. Feelgood is excellent to rub on after using the L'Oreal moisturizer and the bronzer (if needed). It makes the skin look smooth and healthy and gives a matte, well groomed finish.

Link Directly to The Sky Steward Skincare Secrets Boutique

Bare Feet on a Plane! Special Report

The Sky Steward was recently made aware of an increase of Jetiquette infractions regarding bare feet. Watch this special video now!

Overhead Compartment Squatting

Dear Sky Steward:
I recently witnessed a man putting his bag in an overhead bin at the front of the plane and then walking back to his seat in the back of the plane. When the people who were sitting in that row under his bag arrived, there was not room for their luggage and they had to walk several rows back to find an empty bin. Is this right?

Regards, Witness to a Crime

Dear Witness,
The Sky Steward understands the stress of witnessing this type of inconsiderate behavior and wants you to know that it's not right. If you see someone do this and it is causing problems, let a flight attendant know. It is up to them to have the passenger move the bag. Sometimes they can just let the passenger know that their action has caused an inconvenience to another passenger.

Bless the Beast or Are They Children?

Dear Sky Steward,

I was recently on a flight in which a mother had 3 children with her. She could barely control them and besides being loud, they created one of the biggest messes I have ever seen. There were snacks, papers, even Q-Tips thrown all over the floor.

Is it right to treat the floor of an airplane as a garbage can? Can you tell the mothers out their that Jetiquette requires everyone to be aware of others that are sharing the space.

Thanks,
Unwilling Childcare Worker

Dear Unwilling,

The Sky Steward can feel your pain! He recently gifted a grey plastic bag to a messy mother in order for her to collect 'debris' from her children and the floor and place it where it should be. Trash on the floor or in seat back pockets is not just from traveling families; even business people are guilty. There are people who need to understand that they must consider others traveling around them or after them on a later flight in the seat they are occupying for short time.

Next time, tell the flight attendant you almost tripped on the trash. He or she will take it from there.

To Speak or Not to Speak?

Dear Sky Steward: I normally do not wish to carry on long conversations with strangers sitting next to me when I am flying. Is that considered rude? Thanks, Mute in Michigan

Dear M.M.: The Sky Steward understands how you feel, but he wants to give you some food for thought. Firstly, it is always impolite to completely ignore someone when they arrive at your row. A polite hello or good morning etc. is the minimum that should be offered as a greeting. After that, it is completely acceptable to refrain from engaging in additional conversation. He would caution however that you could be missing out on some very interesting conversation and/or meaningful networking opportunities in some cases. Think of it as using dead flight time as a great networking event (unless you have a presentation due at the end of your flight)! You have to weigh your desire for solitude with your openness to the possibilities. The Sky Steward suggests you request a cocktail from the flight attendant, maybe that will loosen you up a bit. It worked for him the last time!

Buh Bye? Not even!

Dear Sky Steward: I just flew from JFK to LAX and was flabbergasted when I left the plane and not one crew-member said thank you, goodbye, or anything. They just chatted amongst themselves. Is this proper jetiquette? Signed, Ignored

Dear Ignored: The only thing proper about this situation is your level of irritation. The Sky Steward is having to bite his tongue right now to keep from saying something distasteful to express his dismay. He feels that a cheerful greeting and a sincere farewell are something that should never go the way of caviar. In fact, he requests that you send him the airline, flight number, date, and city pairs so he can take this up with the airline himself! Write him at gailen@skysteward.com

Don't Cross the Line!

Dear Sky Steward: On a recent flight from Dallas to Portland, I sat next to another gentleman. I fell asleep before we took off and when I woke up, his elbow was at least 2 1/2 inches into my seating area (he had crossed over the imaginary armrest line!) I ignored him and tried to get comfortable, but I was more uncomfortable than I have ever been on a flight. Should I have said something? Signed, Violated from Venice, FL

Dear Violated: The Sky Steward regrets to inform you that the only thing you got from being polite this time was a sore back! He feels that everyone must stand up for their own comfort (as pleasantly as possible) if we are ever to turn the tide. The Sky Steward is appalled at the behavior that is accepted these days (even by him sometimes) and must insist that in cases such as these we let people know that they are causing us to be uncomfortable. If they have a problem with it, the Sky Steward asks that you give them his email address: gailen@skysteward.com.